20 Nov Worship Bulletin: 11/20/22
Welcome to Worship at the McPherson Church of the Brethren
We invite your active participation in the life of this congregation, as together we continue to grow in grace and seek justice for God’s creation.
Sunday, November 20, 2022 @ 10:15 a.m.
The Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address*
(ho-doh-no-sháw-nee) is called Ohén:ton Karihwatéhkwen, meaning “What we say before we do anything important.”
This traditional Native address, used as an opening and closing to gatherings and meetings, is meant to root people in
a relationship of giving thanks for life and the world around them.
Gathering | “I Will Sing the Wondrous Story/Oh, How I Love Jesus” | P Bilhorn/American folk melody
Darren Hendricks, trumpet; Jean Hendricks, piano; Bryan Hess, violin
Video Welcome
Sharing Joys & Concerns | Karlene Tyler
Centering Music | “Give Thanks” | Marianne Foreman
Give thanks to God – for God is good – God’s love is everlasting – Give Thanks
Scripture Reading | Psalm 148
1 Praise God. Praise God from the heavens; praise God in the heights above.
2 Praise God, all God’s angels; praise God, all God’s heavenly hosts.
Unison Thanks | Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving
The People
Today we have gathered and we see that the cycles of life continue. We have been given the duty to live in balance and
harmony with each other and all living things. So now, we bring our minds together as one as we give greetings and thanks
to each other as people. Now our minds are one.
The Earth Mother
We are all thankful to our Mother, the Earth, for she gives us all that we need for life. She supports our feet as we walk about
upon her. It gives us joy that she continues to care for us as she has from the beginning of time. To our mother, we send
greetings and thanks. Now our minds are one.
Opening Song | “For the Fruit of All Creation”
Scripture Reading | Psalm 148
7 Praise God from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,
5 Let them praise the name of God, for at God’s command they were created,
6 and God established them for ever and ever . . .
Unison Thanks to the Waters, Fish, Plants, Food Plants, Medicine Herbs | Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving
The Waters
We give thanks to all the waters of the world for quenching our thirst and providing us with strength. Water is life.
We know its power in many forms- waterfalls and rain, mists and streams, rivers and oceans. With one mind, we
send greetings and thanks to the spirit of Water. Now our minds are one.
The Fish
We turn our minds to the all the Fish life in the water. They were instructed to cleanse and purify the water. They also
give themselves to us as food. We are grateful that we can still find pure water. So, we turn now to the Fish and send
our greetings and thanks. Now our minds are one.
The Plants
Now we turn toward the vast fields of Plant life. As far as the eye can see, the Plants grow, working many wonders.
They sustain many life forms. With our minds gathered together, we give thanks and look forward to seeing Plant life
for many generations to come. Now our minds are one.
The Food Plants
With one mind, we turn to honor and thank all the Food Plants we harvest from the garden. Since the beginning of time,
the grains, vegetables, beans and berries have helped the people survive. Many other living things draw strength from
them too. We gather all the Plant Foods together as one and send them a greeting of thanks. Now our minds are one.
The Medicine Herbs
Now we turn to all the Medicine herbs of the world. From the beginning they were instructed to take away sickness.
They are always waiting and ready to heal us. We are happy there are still among us those special few who remember
how to use these plants for healing. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the Medicines and to the keepers
of the Medicines. Now our minds are one.
Story for the Children | Dawn Hoffman
Krystal Bells | “We Gather Together”
Scripture Reading | Psalm 148
9 [Praise God] you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, 10 [Praise God] wild animals and all cattle, small
creatures and flying birds, 13 . . . praise the name of God, for God’s name alone is exalted; God’s splendor is above the
earth and the heavens.
Union Thanks to the Animals, Trees, Birds | Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving
The Animals
We gather our minds together to send greetings and thanks to all the Animal life in the world. They have many things to
teach us as people. We are honored by them when they give up their lives so we may use their bodies as food for our people.
We see them near our homes and in the deep forests. We are glad they are still here and we hope that it will always be so.
Now our minds are one.
The Trees
We now turn our thoughts to the Trees. The Earth has many families of Trees who have their own instructions and uses. Some
provide us with shelter and shade, others with fruit, beauty and other useful things. Many people of the world use a Tree as a
symbol of peace and strength. With one mind, we greet and thank the Tree life. Now our minds are one.
The Birds
We put our minds together as one and thank all the Birds who move and fly about over our heads. The Creator gave them
beautiful songs. Each day they remind us to enjoy and appreciate life. The Eagle was chosen to be their leader. To all the
Birds-from the smallest to the largest-we send our joyful greetings and thanks. Now our minds are one.
Video Invitation to Give
Give online or send a check made payable to “McPherson Church of the Brethren,” 200 N. Carrie, McPherson, KS 67460
Musical Offering | “Grace” | R. Lovland
Darren Hendricks, trumpet; Jean Hendricks, piano; Bryan Hess, violin
Scripture Reading | Psalm 148
4 Praise God, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies.
8 lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do God’s bidding,
3 Praise God, sun and moon; praise God, all you shining stars.
Unison Thanks to the Wind, Rain, Sun, Moon, Stars | Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving
The Four Winds
We are all thankful to the powers we know as the Four Winds. We hear their voices in the moving air as they refresh us and
purify the air we breathe. They help us to bring the change of seasons. From the four directions they come, bringing us
messages and giving us strength. With one mind, we send our greetings and thanks to the Four Winds. Now our minds are one.
The Thunderers
Now we turn to the west where our grandfathers, the Thunder Beings, live. With lightning and thundering voices, they bring
with them the water that renews life. We are thankful that they keep those evil things made by Okwiseres underground. We
bring our minds together as one to send greetings and thanks to our Grandfathers, the Thunderers. Now our minds are one.
The Sun
We now send greetings and thanks to our eldest Brother, the Sun. Each day without fail he travels the sky from east to west,
bringing the light of a new day. He is the source of all the fires of life. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our
Brother, the Sun. Now our minds are one.
Grandmother Moon
We put our minds together to give thanks to our oldest Grandmother, the Moon, who lights the night-time sky. She is the leader
of woman all over the world, and she governs the movement of the ocean tides. By her changing face we measure time, and it
is the Moon who watches over the arrival of children here on Earth. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our
Grandmother, the Moon. Now our minds are one.
The Stars
We give thanks to the Stars who are spread across the sky like jewelry. We see them in the night, helping the Moon to light the
darkness and bringing dew to the gardens and growing things. When we travel at night, they guide us home. With our minds
gathered together as one, we send greetings and thanks to the Stars. Now our minds are one.
Scripture Reading | Psalm 148
11 [Praise God rulers] of the earth and all nations,
12 [Praise God] young men and women, old men [and women] and [all] children.
Unison Thanks to the Teachers and the Creator | Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving
The Enlightened Teachers
We gather our minds to greet and thank the enlightened Teachers who have come to help throughout the ages. When we forget
how to live in harmony, they remind us of the way we were instructed to live as people. With one mind, we send greetings and
thanks to these caring teachers. Now our minds are one.
The Creator
Now we turn our thoughts to the Creator, or Great Spirit, and send greetings and thanks for all the gifts of Creation. Everything we
need to live a good life is here on this Mother Earth. For all the love that is still around us, we gather our minds together as one and
send our choicest words of greetings and thanks to the Creator. Now our minds are one.
Messsage | “A day of Thanks – A day of Mourning” | Kathryn Whitacre
Sending Song | “Praise and Thanksgiving”
Unison Closing Words of The People | Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving
We have now arrived at the place where we end our words. Of all the things we have named, it was not our intention to leave
anything out. If something was forgotten, we leave it to each individual to send such greetings and thanks in their own way. Now
our minds are one.
Sending Music | “We Gather Together” | arr. Franklin Ritter
Ellen Gilbert, piano
*This translation of the Mohawk version of the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address was developed, published in 1993, and
provided, courtesy of: Six Nations Indian Museum and the Tracking Project All rights reserved. Thanksgiving Address: Greetings
to the Natural World English version: John Stokes and Kanawahienton (David Benedict, Turtle Clan/Mohawk) Mohawk version:
Rokwaho (Dan Thompson, Wolf Clan/Mohawk) Original inspiration: Tekaronianekon (Jake Swamp, Wolf Clan/Mohawk)
Videography and Editing: Eric Goering
Music Coordinator: Ellen Gilbert
Choir Director: Becky Snell
Technical Crew: Eric Goering, Ryan Goering, Shane Kirchner, Steve Lolling & Chris Whitacre
Chancel Decoration Team: Jill Brax, Colleen Gustafson, Michele Johnson, Shane Kirchner & Lara Schoming